Department of Psychobiology, University of Granada, Spain; Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), Spain.
Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Granada, Spain; Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), Spain.
Behav Brain Res. 2022 Jan 24;417:113593. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113593. Epub 2021 Sep 22.
Estradiol is an ovarian steroid hormone that peaks shortly before ovulation and significantly affects various brain regions and neurotransmitter systems, with similar and differential effects with progesterone, another ovarian hormone. Studies investigating the neurocognitive processes during the menstrual cycle have focused on the early follicular phase (EFP) characterized by low estradiol and progesterone levels and the mid-luteal phase (MLP) with high estradiol and progesterone levels. However, most studies have failed to include the ovulatory phase, characterized by high estradiol and low progesterone levels. Given the various hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle, we revisited studies suggesting that the menstrual cycle did not affect verbal and spatial abilities and observed that many contain mixed results. Comparing these studies makes it possible to identify relevant modulating factors, such as sample size, participant age, accurate selection of days for testing, asymmetrical practice effects, genetic polymorphisms, and task difficulty. More robust findings are related to improved mental rotation capacity during EFP with challenging tasks and differences in brain activation among menstrual cycle phases during the execution of spatial and verbal tasks. During MLP, less robust findings were observed, possibly modulated by the complex effects of the two hormones on the brain. In conclusion, we propose that it is crucial to include all three menstrual cycle phases and consider these modulating factors to avoid confounding findings.
雌二醇是一种卵巢甾体激素，在排卵前迅速达到峰值，并显著影响各种脑区和神经递质系统，与另一种卵巢激素——孕酮具有相似和不同的作用。研究在月经周期中的神经认知过程的重点是早期卵泡期（EFP），其特点是雌二醇和孕酮水平低，以及中黄体期（MLP），其特点是雌二醇和孕酮水平高。然而，大多数研究都未能包括排卵期，其特点是雌二醇高，孕酮低。鉴于月经周期中存在各种激素变化，我们重新研究了表明月经周期不影响言语和空间能力的研究，并观察到许多研究结果存在差异。比较这些研究可以确定相关的调节因素，如样本量、参与者年龄、测试日的准确选择、不对称的练习效应、遗传多态性和任务难度。更有力的发现与在 EFP 期间执行具有挑战性的任务时，心理旋转能力的提高有关，以及在执行空间和言语任务期间，月经周期各阶段的大脑激活存在差异。在 MLP 期间，观察到不太有力的发现，这可能是由这两种激素对大脑的复杂影响调节的。总之，我们提出必须包括所有三个月经周期阶段，并考虑这些调节因素，以避免出现混淆的结果。
